About Mad Gorilla

History

Update: Here is a live video of Mad Gorilla playing at the Manly Hotel in 1983. Thanks to Roger Garrod for making the video available and for his comments.

Yet another update! Thanks again to Roger Garrod who has unearthed a classic clip of Mad Gorilla doing their original song “Parramatta Road”.

The ultimate update!!! Once again Roger Garrod has come through with a classic video clip. This time it’s the famed “Undertaker Show” filmed at Riverstone RSL Club in 1983. Enjoy!

Update: Here is a contribution from Dave Owens, the original bass player.

“For the record, I was the bass player in the original Gorilla
line-up ( with Steve Stickney- Vox, Zac Flack- Gtr, George Grainger- Hammond organ, Geoff Hillier – Drums, Chris Beltran – Bass ). Boy were they halcyon days! – writing our own material, coming up with “show” ideas; it seemed like we were just thrown together in some mushroom growing shed up in Riverstone (in Sydney’s north-western suburbs) that the keyboard players Dad owned.
God if his Dad only knew what was being developed in there!

I can tell you that the original 5 piece band did kick some considerable ass, but we guys weren’t satisfied with only playing – we wanted to entertain, and so that’s where the idea of the “Undertaker Show” emerged from. But to be fair, the concept was born in Zac Flack’s head while he was hospitalised with a huge boil on his upper thigh, and upon his healthy return to the mushroom shed rehearsal environment the show was born. It was to be a “Horror Show” to rival any other “show” rival bands could stage; we had set our sights pretty high looking back on it.

I could go on and regale you and your readers with some pretty wild stories that happened “on the bus” and “off the bus” if you know what I mean, from those early years – but maybe I’ll draught a few out before I just sit and type like I have today.

A couple of things though before I depart this time:

Mark “Zac” Flack (and for a time his partner Coby)
worked tirelessly, full time on the bands P.A. gear, road crew and costumes -and if it needed doing -it was done (unbelievable commitment in my observation for little or no return)

Steve “Stix” Stickney ability as a word-smith, front-man and agent/corporate liaison was just awesome – though my fading memory seems to recall “Zac” being involved in acquiring work from time to time too, Steve was generally known around town as the Face of Mad Gorilla, which naturally he used to great enterprise.

Big Al and Steve “Reckless” Reckley were our first two roadies, and they too deserve praise for the long hours and many miles they gave in service to Gorilla. They were times we worked 5,6,7,8 gigs a week – regularly – all with some variation on 10-20 can light show and single/double 4way PA systems!)

Sure there were more people involved down the track when the line-up started changing, but these original band members and crew all laid down the foundation of what has become somewhat of a mini-legend ( and a great talking point when we all get together- Imagine it – when was the last time you caught up with an old mand-mate and said ” Remeber when we blew up Black Soccer Club?, Remember when Sticko punched that idiot out at the Touramaline Hotel for stabbing our speakers in front of the audience? Remember when we supported Jimmy and the boys at The Coogee Bay Hotel and THEY wombatted us? It just goes on and on and on, but any I’ll save it all up for next time.”

Thanks Gibbo.
We used to practice in some old mushroom sheds out at Riverstone that my father used to own, drove all the neighbours mad with the noise, but I wouldn’t swap the memories of those times for anything. I met Zack at the Tourmaline hotel at Vinyard where his girl Coby used to work. Coby said her guy Mark (Zack) played guitar and was getting a band together and was looking for musos, I said that I played keyboards and would be interested in a jam. Zack came down to the pub a couple of nights later he set things up. The first band was Oracle, we just played some local gigs, the odd wedding and the odd bad pub at Mt Druitt. I don’t remember all the details but the band didn’t last too long before we were looking for a new singer. Zack said he new this guy that might fit the bill, so along came Stix. Stix was quite a bit older than me, I was all of 19 and stix must have been close to 30 (at least that’s what he seemed). He had a really powerul voice, huge presence, good looking, and extremely fit and Zack was right, he’d fit the bill, in fact he became the trade mark for the band. I remember the first jam with Stix, he was fairly intimidating just by his mere presence, I asked him what he thought about joining the band and he said “I’ve been in bands for years and I really don’t think I’m interested”. After that comment we thought we’d missed out, however Zack talked him in to another jam (and did a fair bit of work on him as well), after this one I asked him what he thought again, and he said “the only way I’ll join this band is if it’s called Mad Gorilla! I remember saying to Zack “shit, I don’t think I can play in a band called Mad Gorilla, why does he wan’t to call it that. Zack said “I don’t know but if your game enough you can ask him cause I’m sure as hell not”! The guts of it is if there was no Stix there wouldn’t have been Mad Gorilla.
I built the first coffin at the mushroom sheds at Riverstone, it looked that good-shiny black with crushed red velvet interior and all the genuine chrome handles (compliments of Zack who was working for an undertaker at the time) that I put it in the lounge room at home. The first night that I had it inside I wrote my car off, the second night a log rolled out of the fire place and nearly set fire to the house, before the third night arrived my father took the coffin out into the shed before any more damage was done.
I’ve got a lot more to add to this, I’ll try and get it in over the next few weeks. Watch this space,
George

“For the record, I was the bass player in the original Gorilla
line-up ( with Steve Stickney- Vox, Zac Flack- Gtr, George Grainger- Hammond organ, Geoff Hillier – Drums ). Boy were they halcyon days! – writing our own material, coming up with “show” ideas; it seemed like we were just thrown together in some mushroom growing shed up in Riverstone (in Sydney’s north western suburbs) that the keyboard players Dad owned.
God if his Dad only knew what was being developed in there!
I can tell you that the original 5 piece band did kick some considerable ass, but we guys were’nt satisfied with only playing – we wanted to entertain, and so that’s where the idea of the “Undertaker Show” emerged from. But to be fair, the concept was born in Zac Flack’s head while he was hospitalised with a huge boil on his upper thigh, and upon his healthy return to the mushroom shed rehearsal enviroment
the show was born. It was to be a “Horror Show” to rival any other “show” rival bands could stage; we had set our sights pretty high looking back on it.
I could go on and regale you and your readers with some pretty wild stories that happened “on the bus” and “off the bus” if you know what I mean, from those early years – but maybe I’ll draught a few out before I just sit and type like I have today.
A couple of things though before I depart this time:
Mark “Zac” Flack (and for a time his partner Coby)
worked tirelessly, full time on the bands P.A. gear, road crew and costumes -and if it needed doing -it was done (unbelievable commitment in my observation-for little or no return)
Steve “Stix” Stickney ability as a word-smith, front-man and agent/corporate liaison was just awesome – though my fading memory seems to recall “Zac” being involved in acquiring work from time to time too, Steve was generally known around town as the Face of Mad Gorilla, which naturally he usedto great enterprise.
Big Al and Steve “Reckless” Reckley were our first two roadies, and they too deserve praise for the long hours and many miles they gave in service to Gorilla. They were times we worked 5,6,7,8 gigs a week – regularly – all with some variation on 10-20 can light show and single/double 4way PA systems!
Sure there were more people involved down the track when the line-up started changing, but these original band members and crew all laid down the foundation of what has become somewhat of a mini-legend ( and a great talking point when we all get together- Imagine it – when was the last timw you caught up with an old band-mate and said ” Remember when we blew up Blacktown City Soccer Club?, Remember when Sticko punched that idiot out at the Touramaline Hotel for stabbing our FOH speakers-in front of the audience? Remember when we supported Jimmy and The Boys at The Coogee Bay Hotel and THEY wombatted us? It just goes on and on and on, but anyway, I’ll save it all up for next time.”

They started flooding back after both Zac and Stix turned up at my Dad funeral a few weeks back.
They were heady days indeed.
I met Stix and Zac when I was still at school and “auditioned” as a keyboard player, got the gig and promptly left school…this was 78 and Gorilla was still 2 years away. Joe McConville who was in that band was also in Gorilla for a while (he was injured in the “blast”) and Gary Shaw, a bass player with the voice from hell, rounded out the band Oracle…my first paying gig.
By the time I rejioned the guys in 82, Gorilla where an establised band. Stix legend was growing and Zac and Coby working tierlessly, its amazing that no-one colapsed from acute death!
I was knocked out during the Blacktown Soccer blast and dont remember a thing oher than having a different drummer (Langes back again) the night after.

Buy the time I left in 84 they hadn’t slowed….It was a great experience.

Even though music has taken me all over the world, paid for my house and made me many friends…Zac (who taught me to drive btw), Stix etc will always be like my big brothers.

PS..There are NO Mad Goriall Albums…though if anyone does have some recordings…..

The Mad Gorila Live 1984 , was a desk tape made for me , was converted to CD , by my son Daniel and his mate as a present for me ,It was Daniel that sent it on the web, though they used an earlier Tape and the sound was a bit rough i wish they had let me know i would have given them the better one , so i converted the good one myself and only i have a copy of it , i only made one copy and still poses both original tapes and the CD

. Paul I have a few of my own . . some video ( which I’ve liaised with the owner BOB Murphy with ) , . . . and some bitchingly good live “desk tapes” (cassettes) with the first line-up & it’s initial metamorphosis into the beyond . . . drop me a lina @ PO Box 691 Northcote Vic . . OK? . .

Swainy…….thats part of my living…..I have the studio/tech to clean up stuff……..

JO BROWNJanuary 3, 2018, 3:51 pm

HI john and I had the pub at batueo bay back then our daughter is veonne brown would love to get know you all again, hope you are all well and happy. we live in TULLY HEADS QLD. would love one or two of you guys singing.please please Iam a silly old girl now love to all jo & john brown

Dave here, (I’m the original bass player from the band ). What a lovely surprise to hear from one of the very few publicans that actually treated our band respectfully. WOW. Great to hear from you.
If I remember correctly, Veonne kindly dropped me back home to Sydney the following day after the new years eve gig we did for you back in 1982. (I didn’t drive back then).
In December 2017 my partner and I moved from Melbourne to the Gold Coast (Carrara) so I’m a QLD’r now too.
I still perform, and have released 4 CD’s over the past 10 years. “One Pair Of Hands”, “In My Shoes”, “WhatiswillbE”, and “Nowhere Near The End” which are all available from iTunes, otherwise I’d be happy to mail you copies.
You mentioned a need to hear (some of ) us play again. All of the original guys still dabble in the game somewhat, some more than others.
Contact me via my email : davejrowens@gmail.com and I’ll give you a call & maybe I could organise something for you.
G’day to John & Veonne too.
Bestest, Dave (a.k.a. “Shovel” back then).

THANK YOU for getting back to me you have made an old girl very happy. Iam not real good on this bloody thing, call it ETHEL.will give you our phone number or I could ring you if you like 0427331460. thank you love jo.

rod wardMay 4, 2008, 1:29 am

Howdy

I was a member of the Gorrillas there for a while with and without Frank and saw a few moderations to the band. I was bass player no. who knows what Enjoyable days and i think I might have somerecordings we did with the Aussie music and tele school

Well obviously my 1st email didnt make it through. So I will have another crack. I was bass player no. who knows what and saw a number of changes but Sticko, Mark F and Mark L were constant. Were good times and I think I still have some video and recordings somewhere. Frank was the keyboardist initially and has a great ear for notes

Does any one know what happened to Geoff Hillier the drummer
I went to school with him in the 70`s at Woolooware High.
I lived next door to him in Short St.
Any History would be interesting. I,m now 51 and havent seen him for over 30 years….HOPE HES WELL.

g’day
still alive
still have the yamaha kit
does anyone remember the highway hotel at wentworthville?
we got a good song out of that (highway robbery).
the sign writing (rocky way? train station).
still jam from time to time
ps. the “bat” in the background of the photo at stix’s house was me! recognize the make-up,
be good to hear from you guys, geoff

Hi geoff,
A mate was showing me how to find people with his interweb and look who he found….you.
I remember going to a studio in sydney with you and a dude called william shakespere was rehearsing next door….phhh!
Anyhows.. Hi geoff….hope life is fine…

OMG Geoff
My first wife and I were at the gig at Wenty. We left just before it all went down…yes,I heard you where the bat!(been married 3 times..cant go through life being happy..)It was 2 years before I joined the band and it was the first time I saw the guys play without me (as in Oracle).
My on ememory was Stix Moe and Georges B3(?) thinking “great sound…but stuff lugging THAT around” haha

I saw Zac and Stix at my Dads funeral a couple of months back. I’m now witing Prog/classical, doing solo 4-5 a week and playing piano on Play School sometimes….music has been good to me.

gooday frank.
i remember how we got the mad gorilla name. some people turned up to help us rehearse in the mushroom shed and a guy asked what is the name of the band, we did not have one, then someone said the singer (stix) looked like a mad gorrilla.i remember we played in our undies at the war and peace parramatta, that was my falt. got 2 go. cu. geoff.

I was the original lighting operator for “Mad Gorilla” from the first gig at Parramatta Bowls Club until I retired just before their last gig at Cambelltown Leagues Club 27.09.1985.

I designed all the stage lighting as well pioneered all the projection special effects we used on stage. But enough of all that the reason I am writing this is to let any Gorilla fans know you can now see the band as I video recorded them live at the gigs we did. The video quality is not the same as today but I have managed to enhance as much footage as I can. I am still working on the project and will add selected songs to YouTube as we go. Here is the first onehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PU905TDp30w This was recorded at the Manly Hotel in 1983, the video is of Frank doing his Kate Bush impersonation then with the band he rips into the old Dragon hit “April Sun in Cuba”, the sound is pretty good on this one and visuals have scrubbed up well for it’s age. Watch here as more come online or you can contact me thru my webpage http://www.xtremelaser.com Enjoy and your comments are welcome good and bad:-) And a big hello to any of the band members who frequent this site I hope this will bring back some happy memories for you.

all the best and remember old rockers never die they just mellow gracefully

Another video of Mad Gorilla Live at BLACKTOWN RSL Recorded on 18.05.1984 Stix belts out “TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS” and some great duel guitar leads from Zack and if my memory serves me right I think the other lead is a guy called Terry, if i’m wrong let me know so I can correct this. Remembering anything now at 61 years of age is an effort:)
Somewhere in my collection I have the Undertaker show (which I will post when I find it) recorded 23.04.1983 at The Riverstone Hotel just a stones throw away from The Mushroom Farm were we used to rehearse amongst other things:) Other videos to come will include Doyalson RSL, Mittagong, Penrith Leagues and Springwood RSL plus hopefully the entire video of Parramatta Road, this was part of a Australian Film & Television School project I organised with one of the students J Abineri (director) and was recorded on 5th December 1983.
I also have some 8m/m film (silent) footage from our 1st tour away out west who else remembers Boppy Mountain and one of the band (George I think) spraying the water tower with “Mad Gorilla for the 80’s” in black spray paint from the roof of the truck?. Plus I have lots of still pics , newspaper items, flyers etc. will get around to those soon. I have kept in touch with Stix and Dave it would be nice to hear from other band members and crew, but for now enjoy Taking Care of Business.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zq8D1az55ew

Here as promised is the full version of the video the band did of “Parramatta Road” I organised with the Australian Film & Television School with one of the students Jane Abineri (director) and was recorded on 5th December 1983
I have only boosted the sound level on this as it was very low level on the tape other than that it’s untouched.
enjoy……..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buJriTc8LKk

Well guys here it is “The Undertaker Show” recorded at Riverstone RSL Club 22nd April 1983. The sound is OK but not as good as I got at Manly but it will have to do, as far as I know it’s the only copy of the Undertaker show in existence (let me know if you have a copy) we did not have any flashpots and were very limited in lighting cans at this time….
Enjoy “The Undertaker”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wx4XV98r_rk

Thanks for your positive comments Gibbo I remember Sefton well we played there quite a few times over the years.
I hope to have all my videos of the band mastered on to DVD and Blu-Ray over the coming months it’s a big task but one worth the effort I feel. Here is another clip one of my all time favourites the band used to play “Framed” this was also recorded at Riverstone as part of the Undertaker show enjoy…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11_KkfW4W98
BTW great to hear from you Frank S thanks for the emails

Sorry coudn’t resist this one 2MMM FM 105 Sydney 1982 TV Advert I know you will remember this one and it is on topic 2MMM’s Doug mulray was a big supporter not only of Aussie music but especially Mad Gorilla I used to phone Doug and Miss Lizzy (now his wife) each week and they used to plug a lot of the bands gigs daily, and besides it’s Kevin Borich playing guitar what more can you ask…enjoyhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJ3FKeIyU90
BTW Remember to vote at YOUTUBE and the MGB videos will get more views, you can see them all here:http://www.youtube.com/xtremelaser

I found this amongst my Video collection and as much as I do not want to cause any embarrasment to Dave (Owens) I feel it is a part of Gorilla history of ex members and needs to be put on the record. Now this is just a little fun Dave hope you don’t take it seriously. This is a little gem from “Hey Hey it’s Saturday Red Faces” recorded 30th June 1986. I must admit Dave when asked how many songs you had written if you had said a couple of hundred it would have been nearer the truth, you wrote heaps with Gorilla:-) and take a look at Red and Shorrock in their youth..
this has kept quite good quality it’s complete and untouched so sit back take a deep breath and enjoy…….and remember to vote for the Video:-)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLrtQBclXpU

MAD GORILLA Springwood RSL 1982 “Conspiracy” This video is more for the original MGB song than the images as I do not know if I have another recording of it. This was recorded at Springwood RSL sometime in 1982 (if someone has the date let me know). It was Joe the drummers 3rd gig with us, we only had 4 par cans that I had just purchased from Lightmoves and 6 floor flood light boxes which I had built and a couple of projectors for some special FX and a crap video camera but at the end of the day we have a record of the event, oh those were the good old days:-)
Line up was Stix, Zack, Frank on keyboard, Dave on sax & guitar, Dr De Beltram on bass, Joe on drums.
Enjoy…………http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSa0gQNshDY

gooday rodger
i enjoyed the footage. well done,brings back fond memories.
thankyou heaps,geoff.
gooday jack
tell mum i saw reco about a year ago in caringbah on his way home from work with a big beard.a friend of mine knows his phone number, i can get it if u want.
hope to see some old photos,geoff.
ps. say gooday to mum for me please.

Hi Geoff it’s really great to hear from you after all these years, you too Jack say hi to your mum and dad for me. I am in the process of scanning some photos from the early years before I had a video camera to create a memorable DVD if you have anything you want to add to it (I KNOW COBY WOULD HAVE HUNDREDS OF PICS) send me your scanned pics with a brief description date time place subject etc. Anyone who sends me pics will get a DVD of the end result.

Hey Gibbo I found a poster from the Sefton Hotel would you believe! I will add it to the DVD plus some others I found.

I also found the master video of Parramatta Road they gave me from the Film School but I don’t have access to a U-MATIC video machine…. ANYONE?. Also an audio master 16/24 track of “Conspiracy” which was recorded by Spencer Lee at United Sound studios, I scratched my head thinking were the hell did this !@#$% tape come from and I eventually remembered it was for a film called called “Going Down” 1983 which I organised with an eccentric film director friend Haydn Keenan who used Conspiracy in his movie http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085604/

Here is a sample of what I have so far put together for the DVD please remember this is very rough… dates, places names, titles are still to be added plus a lot more pics I still have to scan, I kept diaries of our gigs so I think I can pinpoint the locations and dates etc…
The quality is poor on TouTube the DVD will look much better, Hope this sample brings back some fond memories for you all…..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcQR-ceI1Uw

MAD GORILLA LAST GIG PENRITH LEAGUES 19.10.1985 sadly this was MGB’s last gig although they had retired the week before at Cambelltown they reformed to do this one last night. This was also my last night doing lighting for bands, sadly the damned video camera decided to play up and the sound level was just audible, I have completely ripped the sound of the video enhanced it and raised the level to an acceptable compromise to remove the hum. To my knowledge Mad Gorilla never played again under this name (let me know if i’m wrong)

Roger we reformed for one more show as Mad Gorila in 92′ at Austral Bowling Club with Sticko ,Mark Flack , Paul Swain and Mark Langfield as a 4 piece No film or tapes were made on the day it was a shame Sticko and Zac said it was the hotest and tightest show they ever did, I will try and find the Advertisement of it i know i have it somewhere ! Mark Gibson was on the mix …Cheers Paul

Sorry Roger , i scewed up the year , the show was Dec 89′ as Mark flack and i were doing “Follow that car” with Gary Shaw , Christine Fabri , On vocals ,Jeff Hail and Demetry at the time !… there was something wrong with that date i had to check my diaries , it’s a good thing i have kept a day diary since 1974′

This is an update to the MAD GORILLA Memorabilia Slide Show 1980-85 I have added more pics, some captions, dates and places etc….there is still a lot to do so send me your pics if you have any to add to the DVD (if you can’t scan them send me the photos). My wife Rhonda and I have been married 37 years yesterday (Sep 11th) and I was busy scanning and producing Mad Gorilla pics all day and night lol

gooday coby
how are you?. long time hey. it would be good to catch up with you, hope you are well, im ok except i recon im a 20 year old traped in the body of a 52 year old. rodger has blown me away, i phoned reco an he is blown away, an now im using my two finger typing method to contact you, im just blown away, opps there i go again. anyway reco an jenny will contact you, my email address is roynorm@optusnet.com.au
till we speek again, geoff.
gooday rodger
mate you have done it again, i just keep getting blown away. i will be travelin north in oct an it would be good to see u, if its ok i could call in and say hello. thankyou geoff.

Greetings carbon based life forms,
Well first off g’day Jack you were a baby last time I seen you!!! The rest of ya, well it’s great to see you’re all alive and kicking!!!Funny I remember having my wake at Bombay Rock for my 21st, I turn 48 this year!!! Didn’t think I’d make it this far & obviously neither did you. Roger, sorry about that time in adelaide but I couldn’t resist auctioning food to shovel for booze and it obviously went pear shaped.Geoff got in touch with me and that’s how I found the site.I haven’t checked the whole thing out yet but be SCARED!!! Where’s Al, Neddy is a great chef and I’m sure either me or geoff can find him. Will cruise around and check out what’s on here and get back to ya. This is a big buzz, LOTSA LUV!!!!…RECKO!
P.S. COMIN THRU WITH THE BAND!!!

G’day All,
What can I say, I have had a cruise around the Gorilla sites since my last post and WOW!! I even got a mention, they were great times and put me in the position to work with the rest of the best in the world. No one could work out why i was never intimidated, but after working with you guys nothing was ever scary. My love to everyone :Mark, Coby, Stix,Shovel,George,Geoff,Langs,Roger,Jimmy,Al,Frank,Doc deBeltram,all those girls,their mothers, aunties etc. Only thing I don’t miss these days is bloody big bass bins!
P.S. If we have a get together don’t let shovel do the catering or I’m not eating!!!
LOTSA LUV!!!…RECKO!

Hi Recko it’s really great to hear from you after all these years it’s been great catching up with the clan again, this has been a great experience putting all these videos and pics together after all this time. Where you living now?
Anyone heard from Don or Neddy? Shovel was up my place a few months ago and we dined out local with his girl, Stix was up here last July 2007 and we had a bbq with his friends at my place we email each other regular. http://www.tcb99.com/rog.stix.jpg
Hopefully a lot more will meet up here and we can organise something.
Here is another blast from the past those who were at the Highway Hotel Wentworthville will know what this one is about
it’s from Penrith Leagues last gig 1985 enjoy
Highway Robbery………..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05XrECMZRrE

G’day Jack,
I have two girls Zoe and Lissa, unfortunately I haven’t seen them since ’93 after having a major falling out with their mum. Have tried to find them but no luck, but we’ll talk about that some other time eh. These days I’m not doing much as my back collapsed at the start of this year ( Old bike accident,not from roadie work) and I have had to stop working. I do a junk mail run ( I tell people I work in advertising)for a bit of pocket money and walking is part of my physio plan.Worked as a roadie through the 90’s, then went to TAFE & became a bush regenerator.I had my own bush regeneration business (Weeds Weeds Weeds)but my back got too bad & I had to fold it up,then I worked for an events company (Sold Out) for a while but it just got worse. So I am in the process of reinventing myself yet again & getting fit.Am living in Como down in the shire( with the other hobbits) Would love to catch up and get the years of gossip my email is weedsweedsweeds@bigpond.com ( anyone else who wants to get in touch please do!!!) You’re mum is an awesome lady & i’ll bet she is a great mum, she had plenty of practise being mother to myself, plenty of other roadies & muso’s before you came along! Take care of her & dad, they are bloody legends! Gotta go, can’t stop crying…Recko.

Rog…the vids are sensational, even if back then my singing voice sounds like a 8yro kid (I did get better,but it took a while…haha)

Coby was the greatest “mother hen” ever…I mean that respecfully. She was amazing at holding the ship together.
Jack, I havent seen you since you where very small….not that you where EVER that small.

Recko is still kicking..I’ll be buggerd.

I’m still gigging solo 4-5 times a week as Franky Valentyn and during the day I compose for the ABC etc and even get to play piano on Play School sometimes (TV)
I’ve played with the Monkees, Shadows and was in the Beatnix and Le Club Nerd for LONG periods….even got ot tour with Rick Wakeman a couple of years ago.
Music has been good to me on so many levels.

I have a 20 mnth old called…………KATE….yes Kate haha…Maurie Cameron punched me in the arm when he found out.
On Maurie….WE are going to rennes (remember…his baby doughter) wedding next month….SHES now one of my agents!!!!!

so glad to hear things are going well hard to fathom renne getting married send us some pictures of the wedding if you tell me kates middle name is bush than i’m going to kill youhope your mums doing ok

Mums doing OK (sorry took so long to reply) Kate has Cerebral Palsy,,6 now, she doesnt walk and takes up a lot of our time…..though she is brilliant (think Sheldon…Big Bang ) recently discovered has my “God ear”…Shes named Kate after Catherine Bush, and a few of Henry VIII wives……Rene is divorced and remarried already!!!!….you have email Coby??? i’ll send pics…

Although not Australian he was a great inspiration to many Aussie musicians I for one will miss him greatly, having had the good fortune to work with Pink Floyd back in the late 70’s he will be sadly missed.

Anyway life goes on and we will all be gone one day so let’s make the most of it. Frank it appears you already met my son Jesse he says he saw you at Coffs Harbour 2 years ago he went under the name Checkas he now wrestles under the name Zero in Canada and is the heavywight champ in Alberta for PZWhttp://www.powerzonewrestling.net/pzw2.html do you remember him Frank? Recko I got your emaile I hope to catch up with both soon, Recko I sympathise with you back injury I am nearly crippled now from a motorcycle accident I had in London back in 1968 I now mostly get around in an electric mobility scooter as walking is very difficult for me. Live your life while you can you never know when fate will deal you a final hand…….

Hi Dave Stix etc
Remember me, I was geoff Hilliers mate that use to rodie for you guys.what you forget me, and after I picked the lock of that motel room when you guys locked yourselves out after the gig. Geoff told me about the site.Brings back heaps of good memories especialy of pratice at the mushroom shed.Im living in perth now, How about bringing the credence show over here.

I have caught up with a couple of you in the past by email, Stix, Franky, and last night Roger. Is great to slowly make contact again. I was the dude who used to do the freelance journo stuff and when I could would hop up on keys and sorta play April Sun In Cuba after Franky did his Kate Bush.. oh what days, and how time has slipped by. I am going to try and catch up with Stix and gang for their Creedence show on Saturday night at Unanderra.

The Undertaker has had over 117 downloads from Youtube as of today in just over a week but as the quality is not that good I have decided to release the original MPEG version to the Internet that can be burnt to CD / DVD this is the best quality I can get of The Undertaker show if you can do any better be my guest.
Download Linkhttp://www.xtremelaser.com/MADGORILLA-UNDERTAKER.htm
If you have any problems downloading let me know…enjoy

G’day all,
Roger- I’m not finished just yet but it’s very frustrating. Maybe we should have been doing lighting at the paralympics!HAHAHA!! There is so many stories, I’ve talked to Gibbo & will be posting some of my memories both here and non Gorrilla stuff on war stories. I know this is a long shot but do you know Stewart Fenton? he was one of the guys who got the rainbow theatre going again, later worked with Bob Marley. He was my boss at Jands bloody good bloke!
Frank- I’ve heard you do Sylvania pub please keep me posted if you play near the shire, would love to catch up. My email is on here somewhere.
George- I remember waking up in your loungeroom with a bloody big hole in the floor and a log smouldering on the dirt below. And waking up in the mushroom shed to a female voice calling my name. I think it was Geoffs girlfriend bringing me tea and toast. I was asleep in the coffin, it was cold so I had the lid closed. I groaned and sat up as I opened the lid the poor girl shit herself. There wasn’t much left in my cup of tea. I think she was the same girl that went to the outdoor loo and a black snake with a frog in it’s mouth stuck it’s head out of the can! She started screaming and the dogs bailed her up. I wonder if she is out of therapy yet.Anyhow gotta go am cramping up.
LUV YA ALL!!..Recko

Just a cupla things . .
my new email is mrdjowens@optusnet.com.au and my website
did crash but it’s rising out of the ashes againhttp://www.dave-owens.com , By late October 2008 my 1st three
cd’s will be on iTunes to purchase completely or by track, and how’s all this communication! You just can’t hide
can you!! And – Roger -congratulations for loading
all those videos onto yootube, Do you have any footage of
the original line-up (pre-1982)?
Geoff – great to hear your alive and well.
Recko you legend – you’re still in the game.
Take Care all

gooday dave
hope u are well.as “time goes by” more old gorillas are turnin up (were is george).i think i lost my bat wings outfitt and it probably srank in the wash anyway, dave u would rember peter beaton, he and i had a band and did a few gigs, peter on base, also met neddy. stay well,play nice an try not to burn anything. geoff.
hey coby, i sent an email to you?. i think i pushed tne right button,geoff.

This is an update to the MAD GORILLA Memorabilia Slide Show 1980-85 version 3. I have added more pics from Radar, some more captions, dates and places etc and changed the music track (FROM THE MANLY GIG)….there is still a lot to do so send me your pics if you have any to add to the DVD. If you want I can send the music as an MP3 and MPEG to Rapidshare as this was the best quality track on video I ever recorded (feedback and all ouch watch yer ears!) just let me know if you want to download it OK. Welcome back Dave the only show I have with you in is from Springwood RSL the video is not the best quality so it will take me a lot of time to get it to a viewable stage, I will release some clips as soon as I can (the conspiracy clip is already online and is from the Springwood tape) You can email me at xtremelaser@gmail.com

Enjoy slideshow version 3 and remember to vote for the clips:-)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fw7DZUb9ZYc

yes! started Top Dog’s & The Creedence Show with mark & steve after playing in Mad Gorrila we played together after MG FOR 18yr’s strange after all the year’s playing the same Guitar im about to buy a new p bass deluxe i dont know why Kramer will be jellous!!

We played for the first time as Top Dogs / The Creedence Show on the 18th January 1991 at Temptations night club in Mt Druit with Gary Shaw then Dave Burnholf and finaly Steve Champion we did this combination till i left in January 2001

Not the first gig Mark , it was Joe , from Joe’s PA, it was a Quad 4 way 4 double Ws 8 45 /60s rings and horns a side 40,000 wt FOH with 20,000wt foldback, you did the third one with Dave on vocals, It was in March 91′

And prior to the Top Dogs / Creedence Show , in 86′ – 89′ Mark ,and i Wrote Some new matirial as The Icemen as a Visual concept , with myself on vocals and Bass , recorded it all with John on drums and Shovel on Rythum Guitar , some of the songs on Shovels Album were first done here !
After this in 89′ Mark and I formed a new band (Follow that Car ) with Gary Shaw , Christine Fabri , On vocals ,Jeff Hail Guitar, and Demetry on drums we did Eagles, Doobies, Fleetwood Mac etc: This is when i had my opp , and nearly Croaked. It was a shame we didn’t kick on the show was hot !

Christine Fabri , John Norman , Jeff Hail , Kay Oke , Brett Duffy and Myself , Did Fleetwood in 90′ you were there for that Mark, That pretty much fills in the gaps till Top Dogs/ Creedence Show in 91′

Saw Top Dogs on the way home from my gig the other night….to see Sticko and Gary Shaw singing together after 30 years…..woooow…and Zac on Guitar. When I got up I realised that we all havnt been on the same stage since Oracle back in 79!!!!!

It is indeed an honour and a privilage to catch up with all you guys. I was never in Mad Gorilla, but I have been to many of their gigs. (Perhaps you might remember Franky’s mate Robert? I use to help occassionally with lugging in and out, and I know that Chris has never quite forgiven me for an event that occured in The Starlight Hotel in Cabramatta… Honestly, I had no tolerance to tabacco!)

I have many great memories attached to Mad Gorilla, and I after all the gigs I went to, I was thrilled when one New Years Eve, along with Frank (guitar), Dave (on drums) a mate George on guitar and myself playing bass and singing Cool For Cats, I was actually able to give something back for all the nights that you entertained me.

I was there for the blast at Seven Hills, and I bought as many people along as I could over the years because I thought that you guys were a total entertainment package. I caught up with Franky 2 weeks ago, and he still has the drive and talent that he always had. I leave you with my favourite saying, “enjoy your lives, you only get one, so make it count.”

I’ve gotta say thanks to George Grainger, as much as I loved the sound of the Hammond I used to curse it especially when it was only me & Al or me & Ned lugging it into places like Maroubra seals or the Astra etc. But the payback came in the mid ’90s. The phone rang, it was Michael Dafnis from Live crewing ( a true gentleman ) he said ” Do you know anything about Hammond organs ?” ” I can’t play one but i’ve worked with ’em before, love the sound” I replied. ” Great!” he said sounding very relieved ” Can you work on ( can’t remember the date)?, I’ve got no one on the books that knows about them” I checked my diary & yes I wasn’t booked for that day ” That’s cool Michael, who’s it with?” I couldn’t believe my ears when he said “BB King” “ARE YOU KIDDING ?, Michael be serious!” After some convincing that it wasn’t april fools day I was booked for BB King at the Entertainment centre. YEE BLOODY HAH! ! ! A great gig,awesome band & they paid. So thanks George, I owe you a beer for that one!……..Recko.

Hey Recko,
Good to hear from you. Mate I tried to buy another hammond but couldn’t find one as good. What are you doing these days? Good to hear from you and hope all is well.
cheers,
Look forward to hearing from you.
George

G’day George,
Sorry haven’t been on here in a while. Am living in the shire. Worked in the industry on & off till 2008 & the quacks put me off work ( am on the pension ) due to a bike accident back in ’88. The surgeon couldn’t believe back then that I walked into his office, said I should be a quad ! Got the quacks to xray me in ’08 ( lots of pain & massage & accupuncture weren’t helping ) & they couldn’t believe I was still working. Just stubborn I s’pose. Do sound/ manage & allegedly sing with The Melodies ( Gig this sat 1st May 3-6pm at The Town & Country Hotel St Peters ) Also work in advertising ( I do a junk mail run ! ) Spend the rest of the time doing physio to stay out of a wheelchair as long as I can. Good to hear from ya !………Recko.

Hi everbody
Just got sent a link of me playing with gorilla.
I was the youngest gorilla, glenn with the green les paul.
link was to highway robbery, apart from stix and langs,
the other members in the footage were jeff wellbourne and greg watts.
In my time other members i played with were frank (who purchased aguitar from me,
that i believe ended up with zac) steve keely, paul swain, glenn the sax player and zac of course, im missing a couple of bass players here can any one fill me in?
remember roger and gary seach and jimmy the mad bugger!!
it was an awesome time for a young guitarist to have the opportunity to work
in the band, some very interesting times!!!!
Hope everyone is well!
Cheers
Glenn.

Tobacco sunburst Ibanez Les Paul…remember it well…Zac iherited it when his Ibanez artists neck feel off at the Bombay rock…haha
Bass players Chri DeBeltem, Rod Ward, Shovel….Paul Swain and I grew up together so I still hear from him at xmas..haha. The core (Stix, Zac) are killing it with the Credence thing. I think Jimmy works with Langs on the PA side of things….Terry does Tezza and the Twist Tops, I still play/gig.

WELL MR GIBSON…U REALLY STARTED SOMETHING HERE! CONGRATS ON SUCCESS OF YOUR SITE…RECKO TELLS ME ITS BEING ARCHIVED..
FOUND SOME OLD NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS OF THE BAND…PLUS HAVE LOTS AUDIO…LAST GIG WITH JOE MAC WAS AUSTRAL BOWLING CLUB XMAS EVE 1989…HE DID THE DRUM SOLO FROM HEAVEN ON “TASTE AND TRY” A FOGHAT COVER….I’LL SEND IT….DON’T FORGET THE NIGHT AT BOULEVARD HTL WHEN HARD WORKING PHIL MEDBURY LITERALLY GOT RUN OVER ON THE STAIRS BY A RUN AWAY WW BIN!! AND THE BOMB WE MADE AT A SOCCER CLUB I WON’T MENTION…WHEN WE BLEW UP THE ENTIRE STAGE, FRANKY WAS UNCONSCIOUS…JOE IN SHOCK..HE DROVE STRAIGHT TO QLD AND CAME BACK A WEEK LATER….BUT LOST HIS JOB IN THE BAND..FUNNY I DROVE PAST THE FLACKS HOUSE TONIGHT……NO ALBUMS WERE RELEASED..BUT ONE IS BEING RELEASED AS WE SPEAK………WORKING 5 NIGHTS A WEEK WAS HARD..BUT NO PAY WAS HARDER…TIME TO GET PAID NOW…KEEP UP THE ALTERED STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS…AND ROK ON….LOVE ALWAYS….DOC X

hah..Phil Medbury is still one of my closest friends….he lived near me in Padstow and stared roadieing in nearly every band I worked with.
Hey Doc ,love your new stuff…..still sings like you could punch a hloe through concrete….it was such an honour playing with singers like you, Stix and Gary Shaw.

. . . . of course there was the time when we were on tour down the south coast of New South Wales, . . . ,early 1980, 4 or 5 gigs over 3 or 4 days – no money between us, “in between venues”, ( our manager at the time – get this – convinces us to do all these gigs as ‘collect the check’ gigs to open up the “new territory” ), this particular night with no gig and accommodation for the band or crew – the band comes up with the brilliant idea of sleeping on the beach once we get the gear safely into the next day’s gig, we can utillise our 2 cars and box trailer to see out our evenings repose . . . . that is until we all stepped up to the mikes to sing the following night – and were hoarse and wind-blown from the wind & surf -; But hey, as they say in the classics, if you can’t share a box trailer with a member of your road crew as a matter of survival then who can you trust ? I can remember sitting in the R.S.L. Club’s dining room the next night after we had all set up the equipment, savouring every mouth-full of food I was eating, – I hadn’t eaten a proper meal in over two days, I’m not sure about the others, – the looks on the faces of the Club staff said it all for me ( you see, every-one in the band & crew looked ‘normal’ to me ) , we must’ve looked tired, washed out, un-loved, were “smelly”, bleary-eyed, etc, etc, – but you know what – those people at that south coast R.S.L. Club treated us like we were one of their own, they fed us, watered us, gave us access to the gym shower facilities, made us feel so welcome that we played our collective asses off that night, . . . and still for just a check! . . . those original members of Mad Gorilla and their Crew, . the true grit and stamina it took to keep the band on the road astounds me when I look back on it now, not that the passion ( and stamina in some cases ) has sub-sided in current times – fantastic to read entries from some of the original guys
George, Geoff, Recko, , . . . till next time . . . . .

Ooops, . . forgot to mention to y’all – you can still hear the original bass player ( that’s me – sic – ) playing on 3 post Gorilla CD’s ‘One Pair Of Hands’ ‘in My Shoes’ & ‘WhatiswillbE’, all available to down load from itunes, or hard copies can be ordered through Sound Vault Records. Film clips from CD 2 & 3 can be found on utube searching with my name ( but there are are few musical Dave Owens’s out there so be patient ) 4th CD currently being mixed etc & release set for February 2011, . . . more later . . .

Hey Colin,
Been missin you after you moved to W.A. Bought that old peavey desk from you hadn’t heard from ya since always considered you my mentor and a great inspiration wow! The Memories …Regards to all…Paul swain

PS: Colin remember my first amp 100Wt Golden Tone horible distorted , i was recording at Glebe pt studios with Micheal Jacobson around 97 and my god there it was!! the guitarists loved it still had mustard covering i put on it!!…Paul

G’day all,
It’s with great sorrow that I tell you all that my old mate Ned ( John McCaughan ) has passed away last friday 26/11/10 the result of a massive stroke. Myself & Geoff Hillier got to see him in the ICU at sutherland hospital & were present when the decision was made to turn off the life support. He will be missed.
Ned worked with us after Geoff left the band but worked with him in restaurants later. Ned was an amazing cook. He was also a natural drummer which was great for me because I then didn’t have to worry about the drums in the setup. Langs took advantage of it too and would get Ned on the kit and go to the loo or just walk out front and have a listen. More than once i’ve had a laugh at sticko doing a double take as he spots Langs in the audience while introducing a song. Ironically we had been trying to organise some time to get some of the stories together of our time with Gorilla for this site. Ned was a devoted father. He finished with the band before his first son Kane was born. He worked as a chef. He named his second son Zac, after Zac Flack, he loved the band & loved you all.
Neds funeral service will be held on friday 3rd Dec 10am at Our Lady Fatima church Caringbah.

VALE NED (John Mc Caughan) his hard work and sheer joy of life will never be forgotten
last i spoke with him at Reckos place he was so happy to be working and so proud of his son Zac who was gigging(drums)…i wont forget Neddy i wont forget our last blues song together..”Spoonful” REST IN PEACE my dear brother and thankyou for all the dedicated work you did. God bless all your family.
Deepest sympathy…….Chris de Beltran

Thanks for the memories, (Is this you Gibbo) man this was a crazy band! I too did a stint with the band Mad Gorilla as you guessed it, Bass Player, actually I think I was the last Bass Player…. played with Steve Keily, Glenn Davis, Langs, Stigo, and Greg Watts, of course Gary Seech (I think) on sound and (occasional phantom guitar, it was a bit weird) but great sound guy, Jimmy doing the Rider and girls and Roger on lights, hellooo Roger! I’ll be damned, I do recall some amazing gigs….wild times….lots of fun….have you ever drank warm piss (yes, urine) from a can backstage just before an encore…Stigo did…was one of the funniest things I ever saw, hilarious…nearly couldn’t come out for the encore, the band were in hysterics!!! Cheers, Geoff

Johnny Norman, Rest In Peace Brother. Damn, I recall playing a residency with Johnny…..(condolences to his family), Stigo, Zac, Archie and Champ at the Swinging Tit Parramatta, with Hub, the one legged Mustang Sally Lover….Rest In Peace Bro….Rest In Peace….Any funeral details anybody?

its with incredible sadness I pass along the passing of another of the (close) family. John Norman, who was drummer and frontman of my post Gorilla-pre Beatnix band Strange Heat passed last Friday. John, Paul, Archie and I where part of a band that had a lot of fun…and they probably gave me more rope than Andrew Denton ever dreamed of. John was amazing…a guy behind a drum kit that could sing, talk and entertain……..he was a massive influence along with Sticko, Doc and Zac of what I was to become many years down the track……Rest in peace buddy.

John was a great bloke. I never worked with him but loved to party with him. Had some great chinwags in the past. Haven’t seen him in years but still will miss him. Can see him now on the kit singing “You piss me off you fucking jerk”

or Stager lee…or….. Piss, piddle Bum prick pubic hair……Sticko and the boys taught me to be entertaining (or tried to teach)….John taught me to “do it at any cost…..”..great seeing so many familiar faces yesterday…

Yes John was a great guy , and the medley was Bad Bad Leroy Brown /Knock her off the Harbour Bridge / Stager lee all with 3 part harmony we did that in 1980 With the Garison Band , John was my Drummer from 79′ – 2001 in everything exept Mad Gorrila

VALE JOHN NORMAN
To
All Presidents and Prime Ministers and Commanders in Chief,
Popes and Shahs, Mullahs and Priests;
Family and Friends, And to all those who grieve:
One of “The Icemen” has now left the building. . . . . . . .

WOW! I can’t believe it I just found Wayne Campbell, the youngest member of the Gorilla road crew. Me & Al would turn up for a load in & Wayne would be riding his skateboard around the carpark waiting for us, in his school uniform!! Wagging school to come to a load in to learn the industry!!!. Not a lot to say but welcome back to the family mate!!!!!

Wow, stumbling across this website has certainly brought back some good memories. Great to see those vids Roger, I always wondered how you were travelling. I still remember doing those copied videos for you (ET and some star Wars if I remember correctly) in that small flat on Liverpool Rd, where Sticko used to live. I also took your advice and saw Pink Floyd when they toured Australia in 1988. I was so impressed with that first show of theirs, that I bought tix to their fifth show as well. Certainly good advice there matey!!

I’ll never forget that tour the band did to Melbourne around 1993, when I drove the truck for a week. Firstly on the way into Melbourne on the freeway getting held up in a massive traffic jam because Cliff Young was about to win that first ultra-marathon. Looked hilarious passing this old bloke chugging along on the side of the road in his gumboots!!

Staying in that dingy little place in St Kilda, and playing those suburban Melbourne pubs. If I remember correctly, we never did settle our “green” account with that up-himself deejay that was at the Croydon Hotel gig, oh well, these things happen. And then to drive out to Shepparton after having our truck “serviced”, with absolutely no power, what a great mechanic that guy was! Sure made it interesting getting to Geelong the next day, via the mechanic back in Melbourne so he could re-tune the truck. Then blowing out a tyre on the back axle on the way back from Geelong, and having to change it in the dark on the side of a freeway at 2 in the morning with the temperature not much above zero, fun times! And the tapes for the Undertaker show BOTH breaking at the start of the last gig we had at the Croxton Park pub (I was at that pub last November, and yeah it’s still a dump).

Haven’t seen anybody for a few years now, but it was excellent catching up with Sticko, Flacky and Langs a few years ago down in Parramatta, when they were playing as the Top Dogs. I hope all of you are doing well and are healthy.

Hi Graeme, I never met you as I was in the first line-up, but your recollections are typical of bands on the road and are totally believable. As I read your list of Melbourne Pubs you guys did in ’93 I saw you mentioned The Croxton Park Hotel. It might interest you to know I live 3 blocks behind that venue these days. They still have a band room where covers and occasional ‘name’ bands still play today ! Glad you survived your time with Gorilla. In a weird way, it’s bonded some of us closer than we were during the day. I did some research recently using my old diaries and discovered my tenure ( in the original 3 line-ups ) consisted of 452 gigs in 917 days (June 1980 – Jan 1983)! How the hell we never capitalised on all that effort and entered the ‘recording/radio’ scene beggars belief looking back. (Check the Dave Owens listing this site has to reveal the amount of original material the group had in it’s first two years of existence! – but that’s history as they say. Take care, Dave

Yeah you did meet me, I ended up living on Liverpool Rd in Sticko’s old flat for a while, if I remember rightly you were living in this huge old house up on Burwood Road. If you saw me you’d probably remember me! I’ve checked out your website, geez you’ve come a long way from those old Gorilla days. Nice to see you’re doing okay. Next time I’m down in Melbourne I’ll drop you a line and see if we can catch up, it’d be good. In the meantime, I’m not working currently, so I’m travelling a bit, went to the USA in May this year, will be heading back over there for a 3 week road trip in October.

Sorry I took a bit to reply, but as I said, I’ve been travelling. Stay well mate.

excellent Frank . . . there’s also was a song called “Dynamite” that i don’t have a version of either that you may have . . . . I’ll call you direct . . . . Hi to all the other “Gorilla’s” out there . . . . .

I have a demo (I cleaned it up in my studio) of RnR Sydney, Consp, Sefton, Parra Rd and Highway Rob……….will send!!!!
Hope youre well shove you talented bastard…I play you cds as “break tapes” at my gigs (yes still doing 4-5 week) and people ask”whos that” so I direct them your way…..Dynamite was before my time…dont have it….

Hello Mr Seckold, hope you’re well. Do you know Bruce Jones? He visited me quite often at the last place I worked and mentioned that he knew you really well. Told me about his times on the road with Australian Crawl, related to those roadie stories quite well. Anyways, stay well, maybe catch up one of these days.

Good to see you’re alive and kicking mate, been ages since I’ve seen you. Love your work with those old vids, priceless memories. I did take your advice by the way, went and saw Pink Floyd in the late 80’s, you were right, totally spectacular.

Shovel is right with everything he has said about the original line up but I’m sure he’ll agree with me that Mad Gorilla wouldn’t have been anything without the supporting line up. Roger Garrod was a constant source of inspiration and support and a major contributor to what we were, and his family were just as dedicated. Coby worked tirelessly making costumes, doing make up, doing the sound and wiping everyone’s arses. The road crew, Recko and Big Al, well I could go on for hours here and I have lots of stories that I won’t share here but those guys, Recko especially carried our gear all the time and carried some of us from time to time. I don’t think we would have gone far without any of them.
cheers
George

Further to Shovels previous comments about the original line up………….
Shovel is right, Stix was the word smith and very good at it, and he could also put down a melody line as he did with ‘Killing Time’ and others. Zac could pump out a rock song out as well as a ballad with lyrics, and he nailed it with ‘Time goes by’ which is probably all but forgotten by now, but would stand up in today’s music world easily. And Shovel, well,…………he wrote some of the best songs and put together some of the best base lines and was prepared to take on the role of base player when he was a proficient guitarist to make the band complete, and without his contribution there wouldn’t have been a Mad Gorilla. From here, we are not dead yet and where there is original music there is life. Watch this space………………………………………….
cheers
George

Hey Roger,
If you’re still out there, the last gig that the original Mad Gorilla line up did (minus Geoff Hillier but with Langs) was at the Rebels club house at Austral in November 1996.
I built a new coffin and got my Pyrotechnics license renewed for the gig, and apart from the fact that I wasn’t as polished as the rest of the band due to the lack of live playing, the gig was good.
Mad Gorilla isn’t completely dead yet because there are still some of the original line up that spawned, nurtured and grew the band from nothing into a full blown production that have Gorilla in their blood.
I hope you are your family are going ok.
Cheers
George

Hey Recko,
I might be in China at the moment but I’m eyeing off a new Hammond and Leslie.
You’ll be pleased to know the new ones are made for stage and are Recko friendly.
Mate, I’m sorry but If you want to be original and write rock music, there aren’t any other options. Other people might try and tell you different but it’s not the case, and you’ve got enough experience to know. I’m sure you’ll understand you wreckless fellow.
I asked Shovel to flick you my email address. Send me a line when you get it so we can catch up.
I can still see the doors at the back of the Hwy hotel when you were lugging out.
cheers
George

Gorilla Gossip and Hot News,
The latest word on Mad Gorilla after their 1996 reunion (which had all of the original line up except for the drummer), is that now 4 of the original members have reformed the band.
The plan is to record and release many of the original songs as well as to record and release a large bank of new songs that have been building over the years.
There will also be a good chance that there will be some live gigs to happen some time in the not too distant future and possibly some Graveyard shows.
Steve Stickney and Mark Flack are still pumping in ‘Top Dogs’ and ‘Creedence and Beyond’ working the Sydney scene and sounding as good as ever. Dave Owens has his own successful recording and performing career based in Melbourne, and George Granger is currently living and working in China, and writing and recording with every spare minute until he returns home in the not too distant future.
Keep an eye out for updates, as well as the Mad Gorilla website which will be coming soon.
cheers

Hey Frank,
Good to hear from you and I see you are still working flat out. Good stuff.
I’m in China working for one of the Caterpillar dealers up in the N/W never never.
Not sure how long I’ll be here yet.
I caught up with the guys on NYE. the only thing I was disappointed about was that they all still had their hair, LOL,
cheers Mate,
Take care

Wow I only found this site last night ,Mad Gorrila ,Hi frank a blast from the past ,steve,,gary,mark peter yourself jamming at my home when you were all in Oracle & playing footy up at Evans High school , Big Al roadie, last time I seen you bouncing around was the imperial hotel rooty hill 18 years ago lol, cheers .p.s Im vikki ‘s brother & friends of Debbie & Kerry R ,

Hey Chook…..lot of water under the bridge,,,,,,a lot!!!Oh the footy games……so much fun….ended up playing touch with Stix for a few years at the end of the 80s til my knees gave way,,,,,dont know what happened to Deb R and I havnt seen Kerry since mid 80s

hello all u mad gorillas esp Steve Stickney
we have made our mark on the australian music scene
and will NEVER be forgotten
thannx MARK GIBSON
and thanx Mark Flack for your ingenuity,brilliance and vision
Frank Seckold your musicianship and kate ism are un equalled
Mark Langfield your POWER and buisiness acumen
and the sheer , pure soul of Dave Owens who is unrivalled in permanent dedication to a cause
Steve Rackley for your technical expertise and manual philosophy……and your poor aching back…….Coby for hard labour both physical, mental and spiritual….and all you punters who came and supported,enjoyed and spent your hard earned cash………and Joe the drummer who was blown sky high and STILL CAME BACK FOR MORE………this is the rock and roll dream and is ,now, a permanent part of the fabric that makes people ache for LOUD,PERFECT MUSIC of the highest calibre……..to make dance,spirit and FRIENDSHIP a reality
god i miss those days……..and now realise the place we have taken in this hierarchy…………stay cool and always KEEP THE FAITH
JIMMY u r legend and form the link between heaven and hell…..and thanx for all your hard work and joyous spirit……..to all the publicans who were swayed,and took a chance………this is by no means the end………cheers and ROCK ON OUT!!
this is a journey most would not embark on……..stay tuned there is gonna be heaps more………..luv ya doc…

Love ya work Doc…….but, always have,…many years ago you said to me on a “tour” …”when you start writing stuff it will change everything”…………it took 30 years……….(and it probably wont change anything…album out soon ..my dear mate Wakeman say it sounds like Oldfeild………….Mike says it sounds like Rick…haha)….I know you’ve heard more of it than most of our friends here…..thank you for your unwavering support!!…

and of course…ROGER GARROD who worked tirelessley and LIT UP THE NIGHT
with international expertise aided by Jim. Big Al,Blair and the talents of Phil Medbury amongst others i cant remember.thankyou to all people who made this dream come true………and HAIL ROCK n ROLL in Oz!
I remember…yes i remember……..

Hi Frank thanx for ur words ….i meant it will change things for you to get ur composing out and down on tape…ur international contacts are right …u all play brilliantly…….cant wait to hear your new album
you are the hardest working muso i have ever seen….and your kids shows are absolutely loved by everyone……good grace,good karma……on ya franky
cheers, chris beltran

Paul Bradshaw here. I was gigging the same venues at the same time with a band called Easy Street. We worked for an agent called Maurie Cameron at the same time as Mad Gorilla. By say I was a counsellor at the Community Youth Support Scheme in Campbelltown and Mr. Hillier lived on the premises as a sort of caretaker as well as a participant. I remember both of our bands renting out our PA’s to various artists through Maurie including Delilah. I would go and do sound when that happened and my now wife of 33 years Sue would do the lights. Mad Gorilla were a very good tight band in my estimation. We went on to do more production work and ended up working for Digger Revell and then Old 55. Still gigging here in sunny Florida where we have lived since 1989.

Hi guy’s. Jo Mac is on line.Left sinbin.Just got back from Tassie.Don’t ask for map.Now living in Adelaide and loving it .Now solo performer .guitar and singing. Been playing own songs on STAR fm. You have to remember there are only 3 people in Tassie and l was the only one who could play guitar. Good to hear everyone is still alive even if only just in some cases. Thanks for the drum solo from heaven comment Doc . I still play conspiracy chris.Hope you dont mind? Howdy everyone. Too many to mention. Gonna disable yer mobility scooter Rodger to get revenge for blacktown.I’m even better looking than I use to be if thats possible. ROCK ON boys. Love Jomac.

Hi. Stick. Must get to Sydney soon and catch up.How’s Judy? Hi Zac and Coby and rugrats.Rather large rug rats by now I’d imagine.Shovel I’ll never forgive you for #@$@#%×÷¥₩€.that penthouse model.IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ME.Love your songs Doc. FRANCIS WHAT CAN I SAY? Rick Wakeman. The Shadows. The Monkey’s. I hate you just doesn’t cut it. Langsee l still cant tune drums so they sound anywhere near as good as yours.Bye for now.macca

How’s things Jo? Caught up with Doc de Beltran today, that’s always good. I’m a salad rancher these days, I did think about growing dental floss. But I don’t have a pygmy pony. Hope to catch up soon.
Recko.

Hi Franky. Good to see you can still write without drooling so much your finger slips off the keyboard. Living in a lovely seaside town called glenelg in a hotel so that I can make as much noise as I like. Just got back from Tassie. Beautiful place. Nice people but I fell in love with Glenelg.

Didn’t finish what I was saying! @×$#/&€=%× computer decided to cut me off. Have to listen,to some of your music. Will see my computer teacher next week and get him to show me how to do it. Have got an albums worth of my own material I want to record.

Heya…Yep, the album took 17 tears to finish…life got in the way…gigging 4-6 a week solo and duo….they albums got some decent reviews (and some from here as well,,haha) you can get it on itunes ect,,or you could forward me your add and ill send you one http://www.thefrankyvalentynproject.com.au

hey there Joe………good to hear you are playing and singing
glad u play “conspiracy”….go 4 it!
play anything you want…..
your solo on taste & try by foghat is the best
that was ur birthday 1989…….
keep shaking…….cheers chris

Hi Doc .You really should release conspiracy. It’s more relevant now than it was way back then. Whenever I play it. IT gets a great response .Hate admitting it’s not mine.Your an excellent song writer.Would love to see you when I finally get back to Sydney. All the best jomac.

thanks Jo …….hope you are well.
Yes the mix on Mark’s drums is the best.
send me an email address……i have some mp3’s to send you.
Frank is one of Sydney’s top performers with many awards under his belt and his show is excellent. My last gig was Lazybones Lounge back in January and I played Conspiracy and Chain Reaction in my 45′ set. Stay well,keep singing and nice to hear from you.
cheers Chris

Duo wise….Ive done 4500 backing tracks for bands all around the world.(Ross Wilson, Russell Morris some Vegas acts, etc)..so when I went solo etc…I had a backlog (I think you can see some at http://www.frankyvalentyn.com.au …hasn’t been updated for 3 years..sine then ive won 3 ACE Awards and 3 MO Awards …for my kids show…haha…beat the Wiggles pft) So its me and my PC v the world…but I do stuff like Wuthering, Bohemian etc…watcha need???…:

Just read all the words on your album Franky. Made me cry! !!. Love the horror one. Reminds me of BAD l.s.d. trips . Very poetic. Have to break the mood. How fair she is. How fair her face . How fair her lovely figure. Not so fair . the maniacal stare of her boyfriend whos much bigger.

Ah the album…..the second track is dedicated to your God Daughter….sigh….the album was semi autobiographical..set to the music that inspired me….Im just completing some piano work for Jon Anderson atm…that will be fun….anyway…Email me on frankyv@bigpond.net.au…..you wont belive some stuff!!!

Thanks for your reply Doc.would love to see you when I get to Sydney. My gmail address is bearmcconville@gmail.com. my no is 0476392442. You can text me on that no. Just been reading the part in the bible where Adam said to god.God I’m sad lonely and bored.to which god replied. I will create woman and women will make all your meals.wash all your clothes. Laugh at all your jokes and always be ready for sex.To which Adam replies. What will this cost. An arm and a leg replies god. To which Adam replies. WHAT CAN I GET FOR A RIB.